*SURPRISE*....lucky US!!!

SO...today Tyson told me to be ready for a night on the town and I was needing to head out the door at 5:15. I had no idea what the night held for me, but know Tys is great at surprising me...so I trusted I was in for a night of fun! :) He instructed me to head to my sister-in-laws house where we would receive further instruction on our night. I got to Jills house and she had no idea who was picking her up at 5:30, so a great surprise for both of us!! We were given this cd and told to put it in the car as we were driving away...and we could only listen to one track at a time as it gave further instruction... (they made this amazing hilarious cd together with them talking and some tunes for us to enjoy!!)

We were told to drive to Cafe Rio where we would have our take-out dinner waiting for us...

Sweet for us, we got PriNCess Parking too!!!! Of course that deserved a pic...and it wasn't even planned..or maybe they did save the spot for us! haha jk


Oh so then the next track told us there was an envelope in the car under the seat with Gift Certificates to be used completely up by midnight with shopping and entertainment...SOOO...heck yes! What does any girl do?? We headed for our favorite stores!! Downeast, Charlotte Russe, Victorias Secret and Ross were our biggest hits!

( Ps...just so you know the Gift Certificates WEREN'T specifically for Victorias Secret...kinda funny that's the only place I have pics from! haha)
{I now stole a couple pics from Jill and wanted them on here too!...thanks Jill! :)}



Of course we needed dessert...so we headed to Red Mango...my first time there and it was delicious! This is also where our stranger picture taking friend might have announced his girlfriend was pregnant...LOL...oh had to bring up that joke for Jill! Cause it was hilarious...

We were going to head over to a movie, but by then it was after 10:30 and we were too late! We had many ideas of fun things to go do...but I guess we settled for going on the hunt for comfy pj's...which turned out to be a 45 min store search at Walmart and a jammin' party in the parking lot! haha
I swear she is the best at these jumpin' pics!! She is soaring through the air!! :) While I couldn't even leave the ground in my boots! ha

These pictures don't do justice of how much fun we really had and how lucky us girls were tonight!!! Hopefully Jill will send over her pics and we can figure out how to get the cd and music on here from our hubby's because it was pricless!!!
I think after tonight I am okay with the idea of Tys working long and late hours with my brother Nate... they are so sweet to think of us, their wives at home and to make sure we know how much they appreciate us. THANKS so much to TYSON and NATE AND JILL for one of the best surprises yet!!! A night of memories I will never forget! :)

**The song playing is the first song they had on the cd to send us on our way...HILARIOUS!**

{ FAMILY }

Today was nice and long over due...! I had my sister and mom come over for lunch and so the cousins could play and we could have some catching up time! :) I don't think I have even seen my sister for almost 2 months and she lives basically just down the road!! Something is wrong with that, but we sure made up for it today and so I wanted to thank them for coming over, it was nice to spend time with family... and we missed you that couldn't be here :(
AND...they are so great, they even did my dishes for me!! Thanks!
Cute cousins enjoying their Grandma Debbie!
It gets EVEN better...haha...My mom brought me my GREATEST weakness...Tropical Starburst Jelly Beans!! I don't eat candy (I said candy, not dessert) BUT these I can't stay away from...and it looks like Drew enjoys them too!
Then we got a little visit from my brother, his wife and their kiddos! Geez...we are so lucky to have so much family so close and for these times we get to spend together! Love you all...thanks for a much needed day together! :)

Just think....

Woah...take a deep breath because I am already feeling the water fill my eyes...As you go through life and get older you deal with more trials and are involved and notice the trials that others go through more intently. As a good friend told me about a member of our ward who was taken off life support yesterday, a Father and husband...even though you may not know someone very well...I can't help but feel an enormous heartache for those that lose a loved one. Death is the most overwhelming thought for me. Tyson and I have been lucky enough to have not yet experienced the loss of a close loved one or friend. As we talked about it last night, I told him how I really don't think I could ever handle something so extreme. I think about each and every one of the people that I care about and love in my life and wouldn't know what to do if they weren't here, to pick up the phone and hear their voice, to share a good laugh or best of all...just a simple caring hug. And not just this, but to think about all the trials we face in our life. To think how do I or how can anyone overcome the heartache and tears that come from this test on earth. I know in my weakest moments the one place I can find peace and feel the warmth I need is through our Father in Heaven, through prayer. It's just what I need to get me through anything, through each day...as a mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister....no matter the challenge. To think what if I didn't have that knowledge. I'm so thankful for it. Right now I am overwhelmed with gratitude especially for my wonderful friends. Sometimes you may not realize the power of a friendship or the need of those great friends. So thank you to them for being who they are and simply being a friend. and for my family. Lately I have spent a lot of time with just our two boys and my honey. I love them more than anything and can only hope for the chance to watch Peyton and Drew age and to grow old with my husband. Last night Peyton said "What will happen when you die, then who will take care of me?" and Tyson answered "You will be much older by then and won't need us to be taking care of you." Peyts eyes got teary eyed and you could tell it made him sad, and I thought no matter what...you will always want your mom and dad around, no matter how old you are you always need your family. Life is precious...I hope each day that I am not taking advantage of a moment missed or a laugh with a friend or family...because in the end it's not going to be the material things that mattered...but the moments of happiness that you can always remember and take with you when you go.

Because I just CAN'T let Katie down....

Ha ha ha...we really don't have much to post about for this week, but I will pretend so I don't lose my best blog visitor or at least my most popular "commenter", Katie Yates. :)

Before a little date night out...Peyt thought a picture was needed...he LOVES taking pics!
And our Mr. Drew's new hide out...he tried closing himself in there forever one day! Too funny!
AND....If I take a break and sit on the couch...this may just be what happens...Peyton making me "comfy" by putting anything and everything on me that he could find...haha and it was...just liked sitting there with nothing to do! :)
Can you see his lovely face? He found the cupcakes and ate ALL the frosting off the top of them!
and then found the chocolate chips another day....(still not sure why his face is covered from tiny little chocolate chips...oh well! It still makes for a good laugh!)

This little guy is hilarious! He either runs in to show me "mom, look at my messy face" OR "mom, I ran out of items to make my face messy...more please!" haha

Oh...so there is for a new picture update! :) ENJOY!!!

Fun VaLenTinEs Weekend!!

I was going to wait and just do one post at the end of our long weekend...BUT I just love pictures too much and since it's almost over I think it will be okay! :) So here we go...
I think we...meaning Peyton and I got our little cute baby fix while having Kyah over. Peyton loved talking to her, holding her and reading her stories. I loved it!
Then we got a visit from Great Grandma and Grandpa Love with yummy Valentines treats!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!! The boys loved having you here!
Then after I guess no babysitters and the anti-men decided no on the Valentines Dance :) Jamie had us over for fun instead! The kids decorated their yummy cookies...
Maycee and Drew were inseperable!
This is Peyt NOT wanting me to get a pic of him and his cookie...haha

AND...the kids dressed up for their "play"...they gave it three attempts and I'm still not sure what the play was, but it was still really cute to see them all have so much fun together.
Our 2nd attempt at a decent picture....nice Kev...but at least there is not popcorn involved!! haha
and Maycee and Drew again...they are hilarious! Drew has always loved this little girl though! Even when they were little...

See it's so cute how they just clicked from day one! hahaha ...I had to go find the other first couple pics I had of them...cute!
Our Lazy Saturday morning...so nice to not have one thing to do...
A surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa Yates to bring a yummy Valentine treat! THANKS!!!
We decided to take the boys to Planet 51 at the Kaysville theater....Geez!!! You can get all 4 of us in PLUS popcorn for the price of almost one of us at the regular Theater! This was a first for all of us to go on a fun little date there and I must say we will be doing it again! :)
Little Drew running up and down Main St. in Kaysville after the movie
After the movie we went and did a little shopping then went to dinner at the lucious Olive Garden....Peyt chose to make the "Strawberry dessert" for after...aka: Strawberry Cheesecake, so we made that and had our Sparkling Cider to accompany! Such a fun date with our little family! I loved every minute!
The boys fun little Valentine Treats!! I have to admit...we are OFFICIALLY addicted to Super Mario Bros...in fact, its 11:30 pm and Peyt and Tys are downstairs STILL playing!! :)
Me and my cute Valentine buddies! Love them so much!
then Grandma Julie invited us for a delicious dinner.... afterwards we were serenaded by Taylor and his buddy while they practiced their song they were going to sing to a few choice lucky ladies! :) They did awesome, thanks guys!
Drew and Peyt playing Super Heros!
Peyt and Drew even got in on the Apples to Apples fun! :)
HAHAHA....we REALLY are laughing our heads off cause I just spilled the drink all over me while we were laughing at Peyt taking a million pics of us! He wouldn't stop snapping! :)
and to my sweetie! 7 Years ago today was our first kiss, which I might add was also the best kiss ever and led me straight to knowing he was mine forever!!! I love you sweetie! I am so glad we had such a fun weekend together as a family. I couldn't have asked for it to be any better!!!
I hope you all had a Wonderful Valentines weekend too!!!

Touched by Example

Last night I got to cuddle with Peyt on the couch while we were waiting for Tys to get home. He always has so many questions and wants to talk about everything...which I love. Then finally he was getting too tired to stay awake and so I asked if I could hold his hand and he told me "How bout just my thumb" too cute. Anyway, So I sat there holding my little guy and couldn't help but think about the stories that have happened within the past few months of these families losing their little ones just like Peyton and Drew. In the summer and fall, a hayride/tractor accident losing a little guy, another one where a family lost their child while digging a hole for a trampoline, a blog I had recently found about a baby named Grace who only lived 11 months, the two young girls who were taken by an accidental poisioning...and the lucky family who gets to have a 2nd chance with their son even after he was pronounced DOA after drowning in their bathtub at home. Wow...so many tradegies that we can only learn from. I know I have many days where I sit and wonder how I can be a good mom to these boys, when the day is too hard...how do I get through it? But it's stories like these and moments like last night with Peyton that help me to remember it is nothing less than a miracle to even be blessed with them in my life to have the wonderful opportunity to care for them and be their mother. You never know when they could be called back home...so enjoy every minute with them. Like the other parents of those children have said "to hug your little ones a little tighter and give them an extra squeeze...to remember that the little things can wait and to not worry and just take the time to be there with your children." There is always tomorrow for cleaning, dishes, and laundry...but you may not have tomorrow to read them a story, tuck them in their bed, or simply just spend time with them. I am thankful for the examples that have touched me and for the stories shared by these individuals that help me learn and grow as a parent. My heart aches for them, but you can only take the situation and make the best of it for you and your family. So live today and remember to hug your children a little tighter and try living without the regret.

We're back....

From THE Happiest Place on EARTH!!! I'm still not sure if we go mainly for Tyson or the boys...it's hilarous. Tyson is just like a little kid going, I love it! I guess that's what makes it so fun!! So enjoy our MANY pics!! We had a blast and wish our 5 days of fun wasn't already over!
We were surprised with these yummy treats on our doorstep to send us on our way...Thanks Burtons!!
And some more from Grandma Debbie!! Love you too!
Waiting for our airplane in SL


The first day we headed to the Beach. Peyt thought he was going to be able to swim...but changed his mind quickly to just playing in the sand once we got there.
Love those Palm Trees....


They were trying to run from the water....Glad to report nobody got wet this year! :)


Peyts "job site"
What is a Hotel Room if you don't jump on their beds?!?!
Drew in time out...he kept his head like that and wouldn't turn it for the whole time! cute!
First Disneyland DAY!!! We were all so excited!


This is when Drew ran up past everyone else in the line and tapped Goofy on the leg to get his hug! He LOVED all the characters and rides!!!
Pirates!




Since the Tea Cups make Tys sick...we all went instead and they loved it!


After much talking into...Peyt decided to go...Glad I caught his face! It's pricelss!! He was so scared!!



Love this one!!
Riding on the train before we headed back to the hotel...!
We were lucky enough to see most of the characters that day and a lot even twice!! No lines, perfect weather...can't complain!
Day 2

LOVE this popcorn!!! ....and guess they do too! :)
Tiki Room...enjoying some pineapple ice cream before we head in...should have went with a Float though!

AND.......the BIGGEST SURPRISE OF ALL!!!!!!!!!!! Grandma Julie couldn't stand not being there with the boys, since she has been going with us the past 2 times we went...she didn't want to miss a 3rd. We got a phone call from her Thursday morning that she was on her way to California! She made it just in time to spend the rest of the afternoon with us and enjoy the rest of our time in Disneyland!! The boys LOVED it!! You can tell just how excited they are in this picture!
I had to take this pic of their pic...because that face is the best! Peyt was so scared, but a trooper to go on one of my favorite rides with me!
We thought this is cute how you can only see their eyes!
Oh and ya, Peyt STILL cried in the Bugs Life movie, even though he is 4 now...
Another FAVORITE ride!

So excited after the parade!!


HELLO RAIN...!!!!! We woke up to a rainy 3rd Day for Disneyland...still lots of fun even soaking!





Drew loved these hats!

Drew talking to Granmda Debbie super excited to tell her all about Disneyland!

You couldn't even take the ponchos off OR you would be soaking wet! I think we still brought a couple colds home with us... :(




Going home... :( Guess Peyt is really sad to be leaving!

Oh there are so many more pics and this was a ton! Oh well, we are sad that our fun is over but glad to be back in our own beds... now just need to catch up on sleep...especially after not even getting home till after midnight. Yay for Fun Disneyland Trips and for fun boys and with their expressions and reactions that make it ALL worth it!!